Page 10 of Forsaken Promises
I grin at her, a plan already forming in my mind. “Unless I sneak onto the Marino estate and steal a glimpse of her myself.”
Valentina’s eyes widen. “Dom,no. That’s a terrible idea. If you get caught?—”
“I won’t get caught,” I say confidently. “I’m a Sicura, remember? Stealth is in my blood.”
She shakes her head, but I can see the hint of a smile tugging at her lips. “You’re crazy, you know that?”
“Crazy in love, maybe,” I joke, but the words feel hollow even to my own ears.
Because I am crazy. Crazy to even consider seeking Sofia out after all these years. Crazy to think that seeing her will somehow make this whole situation better.
But I can’t help it. I need to see her, need to look into those blue eyes and try to find a glimmer of the girl I once knew. The girl I loved.
Even if she hates me now. Even if there’s no hope for us.
I have to try.
* * *
As I makemy way through the familiar grounds of the Marino estate, a flood of memories washes over me. Late-night rendezvous, stolen kisses, whispered promises under the stars. Despite everything that’s happened, I can’t help but look back on those moments with a bittersweet fondness.
But the sweetness is tainted by the bitter tang of guilt. Guilt for how I hurt Sofia, for the way I shattered her trust and broke her heart. And beneath that, a simmering resentment. Resentment for the fate I tried so hard to escape, the destiny I could never outrun.
I pause beneath Sofia’s balcony, my heart hammering in my chest. How many times did I climb up those ivy-covered trellises, sneaking into her room to spend the night with her? Having to be quiet as we made love so we wouldn’t wake up her sisters?
It feels like a lifetime ago.
To my surprise, Sofia is standing on the balcony, her face tilted up to the moon. The silvery light casts an ethereal glow over her delicate features, making her look even more breathtaking than I remember.
Suddenly, inspiration strikes me. Doesn’t every girl love Romeo and Juliet? This is just like the scene where Romeo speaks to Juliet by her balcony. All girls love a little romance.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I step out of the shadows. “Sofia,” I call out softly.
She stiffens, her head whipping around to find the source of the sound. When her eyes land on me, they widen in shock. “Dominico? What the hell are you doing here?”
I take a step closer, my hands held up in a placating gesture. “I needed to see you. To talk to you.”
Sofia scoffs, her delicate features twisting into a scowl. “We have nothing to talk about. You made your choice years ago, and I’ve made my peace with it.”
“Please, Sofia,” I plead, my heart in my throat. “Can I come up? Just for a moment?”
She stares down at me, her blue eyes filled with such vitriol that I take an involuntary step back. “Talk? You want to talk now, Dominico? After everything you’ve done?”
Her words are like a slap in the face, a harsh reminder of the pain I’ve caused her, but I feel a flicker of annoyance beneath the guilt. Does she really think I’m the only one to blame here, that she’s completely innocent in all of this?
I grit my teeth, trying to keep my temper in check. “Look, I know I fucked up, Sofia. But we’re getting married in a week, whether we like it or not. The least you can do is hear me out.”
Sofia scoffs, her delicate features twisting into a sneer. “Hear you out? Why should I bother? You’ll just spout some bullshit about how sorry you are, how you never meant to hurt me. Well, guess what, Dominico? I don’t want to hear it.”
“Why won’t you just let me apologize?” I ask. “I know I fucked up, Sofia. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. But this marriage… it’s happening whether we like it or not. Can’t we at least try to find a way to make it work?”
Sofia stares at me incredulously, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Make it work? Are you serious right now? You broke my heart, Dominico. You shattered my trust. And now you want me to play the doting fiancée with you just because our fathers say so?”
She shakes her head, her voice dripping with venom. “I'll marry you because I have no choice. But don't delude yourself into thinking this is anything more than a business arrangement. I will never forgive you for what you did, and I sure as hell will never love you again.”
I feel my annoyance morphing into anger, hot and sharp in my veins. Who the hell does she think she is, acting like she’s the only one who suffered? Like she’s the only one who’s had to deal with the fallout of our past?
“You know what, Sofia? You’re not exactly blameless in all of this,” I snap, my voice rising in frustration. “You knew what you were getting into when you started sneaking around with me. You knew the risks.”
